28 June 2018
We set off on 28 June from Oban for our ten days exploration of the Hebrides with the hope that we’d visit St Kilda. We did, and so much more. The crew (Chris (skipper), Alexa (wildlife guide), Pete (cook), Emma (bosun), were fantastic from the off. They effortlessly transported our mountain of luggage to our comfortable cabins which Emma kept spotless through the cruise, as well as looking after us on the rough crossing to St Kilda through to Caribbean strength G&Ts. Chris was a really good skipper. He sailed the boat well and did his best to find a route that best managed his passengers’ seafaring abilities, and he also had a ceremony to give homage to the Blue Men of the Minch! Pete’s amazing menus incorporated our requests – I’ll always remember his mussels on the first night, his haggis Scotch eggs, my mother’s clootie dumpling and much more – and we appreciated how he involved the kids (9 to 11) in the kitchen. Alexa (with Chris) magic’d up an amazing array of wildlife with huge enthusiasm and great knowledge. We became blasé about the number of dolphins we saw – I can best quote Chris “the weather and the wildlife sightings are some of the best I’ve known in almost 20 years”. The weather was fantastic which enabled us to land and explore Tobermory, Canna, Sanday, Taransay, Hirta (St. Kilda), Mingulay, Vatersay, Rum, Lunga (Treshnish Isles) and Loch Buie, as well as sailing past Neist Point (Skye), Boreray (St. Kilda), Monachs, Hellisay in the Sound of Barra, Eigg, Staffa, Ulva and Iona. The weather was so good we were able to swim off Sanday, Taransay, Mingulay and Vatersay, as well as enjoy the hot tub. This was a trip of a lifetime for us all. We were able to see so many places which have been specks on the horizon for so long. The cruise was magical and extra special. It’s given us memories to last a lifetime!
George Mitchell
Fabulous !I will be honest and admit that I hadn’t even heard of the Flannan Isles until I booked this cruise, so some speedy reading was called for! I’m please I did, for that little knowledge created an aura about the place, and when we were lucky enough (thanks to James !) to actually step ashore, then the highlight of my cruise was instantly created. Then, cruising across to visit the plethora of gannet further added to the Flannan experience, a fabulous place ! That is not to say it was the only highlight – the standing stones at Callanish were another highlight, and being able to anchor within sight of the stones just added to the experience. Those were my own personal highlights, but Eigg and The Shiants were also amazing places. St Kilda was always my dream island to visit, and I managed that on a previous cruise with you, but I must say, I think this cruise actually surpassed that one – what more can I say ! The crew were simply fabulous. Helen kept the accommodation spotless throughout, catered for our every need, Emma provided wonderful meals, Will was a true action man, pointing out wildlife, lifting anchors, fastening ropes precariously on Flannan, and of course, James was ever the perfect skipper. Each and every one of the crew were brilliant to share the cruise with, so friendly, so keen to provide absolutely anything that anyone wanted.
Mr Steve Lloyd: 24 June 2021Far-flung islands: Harris, Taransay & the Flannan Isles